Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010

Clayton might curb roadside vendors

Need a new sofa? Soon, you might not be able to find one of those vendors who sets up temporary outdoor sales along the highway in Clayton.

Town leaders are thinking of changing Clayton's rules to make it harder for people to sell products in random spots around town. Sometimes, vendors sell furniture or even puppies from the backs of trucks. Town Manager Steve Biggs said someone recently sold sheds in the parking lot of a Clayton shopping center.

Vendors who set up temporary sales pay the town $100 for a temporary-use permit. But such sales can be unattractive to passersby, Biggs wrote earlier this month in a letter to Town Council members. Also, he wrote, vendors don't pay property taxes, and they can draw customers away from regular businesses.

Now town leaders are considering a proposal that would bar the sale of products on a business's property unless the products are related to the business. That means, for example, that furniture couldn't be sold in front of a convenience store; instead, it would have to be sold in front of a furniture store.

Some community events, like the Harvest Festival and the farmers' market, also require temporary-use permits from the town.

"We think that in order to not create a problem for ourselves ... we should create some exceptions," Biggs said.

The Town Council could say that town events are exempt from the rules, and a review committee would have to give events a stamp of approval.

Last week, some council members complained about the town's rules about grand-opening celebrations for businesses. Councilman Michael Grannis, who owns a bed and breakfast in town and the Clayton Steakhouse, said he was "appalled" that grand openings are limited to three days and that businesses must pay for a temporary-use permit to host a celebration.

"I have yet to do a grand opening, and I think I know why now," Grannis said. "I think there are areas where we make it difficult for businesses to come here, and this is one of them."